Food for Progress Questions and Answers week ending March 29 2023.pdf

Food for Progress FY2022 Notice of Funding Opportunity

Questions and Answers

Questions received to PPDED@usda.gov through March 29, 2023

NOTE: Questions are answered in the order received. FFPr recommends using the document

“Find Text” function to find specific items.

1. Q: With respect to the guidance for The Gambia (pp. 69-73), and given the fact that USDA Food for Progress is currently supporting the cashew value chain through the LIFFT project, does USDA consider cashew to be part of the horticultural value chain and, if so, should it be incorporated into FY23 Food for Progress proposals?

A: No. Food for Progress would not consider cashew to be part of the horticulture value chain.

For this NOFO, Food for Progress is seeking to directly address food security issues through the availability and access of fruits and vegetables at the household level.

2. Q: The Gambia (pp. 69-73): Given that there is an ongoing Food for Progress project (LIFFT) that has operated in The Gambia since 2018/2019, would USDA consider making the midterm evaluation report and/or project annual reports available to bidders? Neither of these are currently available through the DEC, but they would enable bidders to write proposals that take into account current programming, project learning, challenges, etc.

A: Food for Progress is confirming the status of this report and will provide an update in a future weekly Q&A.

3. Q: 29 of the NOFO stresses the importance of targeting at least 70% cost recovery. However, for every priority country the ratio between the Anticipated Operating Budget and the Estimated Total Award Value is under 50%, suggesting a cost recovery far below the target. If applicants believe we can achieve a higher level of cost recovery within the Estimated Total Award Value, can we propose a higher operating budget than the anticipated operating budget in the NOFO?

A: Applicants should only propose an operating budget up to the total anticipated operating budget listed for each country in Appendix B.

The estimated award level is to allow for the incorporation of commodity and freight price volatility. The 70% threshold is a reporting requirement in the Farm Bill.

The monetization plan needs to ensure that the monetization proceeds reach the operational budget per the country guidance. The estimated award level is to allow for the flexibility to respond to commodity and freight price volatility. The final award may be adjusted to account for current market realities. The monetization plan should be developed within the estimated award value to reach the project budget, taking into consideration a highly volatile commodity market and the relatively high cost of U.S. flagged vessels. Cost recovery is based on the actual transaction and calculated based on final sales of the commodities.

4. Q: Page 30, Section 3.g, Budget, Budget Narrative, states: “The narrative must also include the calculation of expected interest.” Question: The applicant respectfully requests USDA provide a data source for interest rates.

A: Interest rates are variable and depend on the financial institution. Applicants are encouraged to work with their current U.S. financial institution regarding interest rates.

5. Q: Page 44, Appendix B.1, Country Specific Guidance, Bangladesh: Goal, states: “To support and encourage the adoption of climate smart techniques and technologies in the livestock sector and assist farmers to increase production and improve incomes while conserving the land resources required for livestock production and reducing emissions.” Question: The applicant respectfully requests clarification that small ruminants (i.e., goat and sheep) can be included in this livestock Activity.

A: Yes, small ruminants may be included.

6. Q. On reference to Bangladesh. What is the definition of livestock and may the proposal include Dairy, Aquaculture and Poultry. What are the anticipated livestock sectors in mind?

A: Yes, proposals may include dairy. Livestock here primarily refers to ruminants such as cattle, buffalo, sheep, and goats. Domesticated fowl are considered poultry and not livestock.

Aquaculture is not included in this definition.

7. Q: Per Annex B - Country Specific Guidance, can USDA please clarify the difference between the approximately $34M "Estimated Total Award Value" and the roughly $16M "Anticipated Operating Budget"?

A: Estimated Total Award Value is the total amount of CCC Commodity, Freight, and Administrative funds awarded.

The Anticipated Operating Budget refers to the project’s operating budget which consists of anticipated monetization proceeds, CCC Administrative Funding, and any applicable cost share.

8. Q. Where the Country Specific Guidance provides a specific number for "Anticipated Operating Budget", e.g. $12,025,000, does USDA view this as an estimate, the high end of a range (i.e. up to $15,300,000), or the exact budget figure?

A: The Anticipated Operating Budget is an estimate based on internal calculations of anticipated monetization proceeds and CCC Administrative Funding. The project’s operating budget will consist of monetization proceeds, CCC Administrative Funding, and any applicable cost share.

Applicants may propose a higher anticipated operating budget, but will need to show how they will achieve additional funding, either through monetization or cost share.

9. Q. Per Section D.3.b (page 17), will USDA please confirm that applicants may include a table of contents and acronyms list, with no page limits?

A: Applicants may, but are not required to, include a table of contents and acronyms list with no page limits.

10. Q. In section 10.c (page 10), the NOFO names the three prioritized technical areas of Climate Smart Agriculture, Trade Enabling Environment, and Strengthening Food Security for Food for Progress. In "Table 1: Country and Priority Areas" on page 11, however, not all countries have all three priorities listed. Additionally, this table does not match the "Thematic Areas" listed for each country in Appendix B (pages 44-79). Can USDA please confirm whether applicants should address all three prioritized technical areas, address the areas listed by country according to the table on page 11, or address the areas listed on each country's page in Appendix B?

A: The three prioritized technical areas of Climate Smart Agriculture, Trade Enabling Environment, and Strengthening Food Security are the broad areas of focus for Food for Progress awards. Not all technical areas are prioritized for each country and Table 1 on page 11 is illustrative. Applicants should refer to the priority technical areas listed and described in the country guidance provided in Appendix B.